October 5, 2008

So. Today is my ‘last Sunday’ before another chapter of my life unfolds.

A couple of friends have msn-ed me, asking about how come still not in NS and stuff. A further few would say or comment along the lines of: “So, you must be out partying/having fun/enjoying your last days of freedom eh?”

After brushing aside feelings of patriotism and the desire for a great sense of camaraderie with my company/platoon/section-mates-to-be, I realised that I would just be a boy/man of Singaporean citizenship, simply fulfilling a two-year mandatory service to the nation.

A few people question, and sometimes, are unable to fathom, my great excitement for NS. I tried to explain, but eventually find myself giving up, for the very simple reason that they are not me, and I, am not them.

I cannot make them make sense of the joy I have after hearing a solid bang when doing drills, or seeing arms swing back and forth in perfect unison during parades, all of which are fond memories of my VS Air days.

I cannot make them comprehend the satisfaction I feel after completing a 5-day 4-night trek through South-East Asia’s longest range, Crocker Range, despite rain, leeches, wearing the same sweat-soaked, mud-stained clothes every single day, all reminiscent of my OB Sabah journey.

And even though some might have experienced it, I cannot make them fully understand how amazing it is for me, to see that the bonds forged between people who used to be complete strangers barely a few weeks/months ago, can be so strong. The comradeship, the esprit de corps – all familiar emotions that I felt during my time in NPOB.

Perhaps due to my exposure to Outward Bound theories and ideologies, I see the next two years of my life as a whole, rather than in parts. Yes I might, and probably will, meet terrible company/platoon/section-mates with horrid attitude problems; or I might be given a terribly mundane vocation after BMT.

But that’s just part of it, part of life.
Everyone’s bound to have met people they can’t stand, or hated what they’re doing, but those are also the things that have made them who they are: their character, their beliefs, their principles etc.

From my VS Air days: Attitude. Aptitude. Fortitude.

…

More often than not, people who recount to me their NS days, say it’s boring, a waste of time and what not.

I might become like that. Who knows?

A wise friend cautioned me once, saying while my attitude towards this whole thing is commendable, it might also be one that is easily crushed.

I guess I accept and acknowledge that, and can understand that nothing ever turns out they way you want it.